Man sentenced to 40 years for killing ex-girlfriend’s mother in Phoenix

PHOENIX – A man who pleaded guilty to a shooting in Phoenix that wounded his ex-girlfriend and killed her mother has been sentenced to 40 years in prison, authorities announced Monday.

Jorge Acosta, 46, was recently sentenced after pleading guilty to second-degree murder, burglary and two charges of aggravated assault, according to a Maricopa County Attorney’s Office press release.

“The defendant’s murder of Maria Castillo was senseless, and the sentence for the defendant’s reckless actions that night illustrates our resolve to hold him fully accountable, despite his attempts to hide and avoid taking responsibility,” Maricopa County Attorney Chief Deputy Rachel Mitchell said in the release.

Acosta’s ex-girlfriend had a protective order against him when he broke into her home while armed in the early hours of Aug. 2, 2017, the release said.